From Humble Monthly to Humble Choice

Humble Bundle’s subscription service has evolved significantly over the years, shifting from a flexible, user-driven model to a more standardized offering. But has this evolution removed the very “choice” that once defined it?

The Early Days: Humble Monthly (2015-2019)

In October 2015, Humble launched Humble Monthly, a subscription-based service providing curated game bundles each month. A portion (5%) of the subscription fees went to charity, making it an appealing option for gamers who wanted to give back.

One of the key features of Humble Monthly was flexibility—subscribers could pause their membership and skip months when the game selection didn’t appeal to them. This allowed users to stay in control of their gaming library without feeling locked into the service.

The Transition: Introduction of Humble Choice (2019-2022)

In December 2019, Humble rebranded its service as Humble Choice, moving from a single-tier subscription to a multi-tier model:

• Basic Plan: Choose 3 games per month
• Premium Plan: Choose 9 games per month
• Classic Plan: Existing Humble Monthly subscribers were upgraded to receive all games (10 or more) each month

This tiered approach provided users with more control over game selection, aligning with varying budgets and gaming preferences. The ability to pick games, rather than receive a random selection, made Humble Choice an attractive option.

The New Model: Is It Still a Choice? (2022-Present)

In January 2022, Humble Choice underwent another transformation—all subscription tiers were removed, and a single $11.99 USD per month plan was introduced. Now, instead of choosing a specific number of games, subscribers receive the entire curated bundle each month.

While this change simplified the subscription model, it effectively eliminated the element of choice. Subscribers no longer have the option to pick specific games; they must either accept the entire bundle or skip the month entirely.

Why I Finally Cancelled My Subscription (Feb 2025)

After years of being subscribed to Choice, I finally decided to cancel my subscription last month (February 2025). The primary reason? I hadn’t been active on Steam for a long time, and I no longer own a PC or laptop to play Steam games on.

Humble Bundle only allows subscribers to pause their subscription on a monthly basis rather than indefinitely. Because of this, there were times when I forgot to pause and was accidentally charged for a month I didn’t need—something that became frustrating over time.

Rather than continue an unused subscription, I made the decision to cancel entirely.

Ideas for Bringing Back the Choice

While I don’t see myself resubscribing anytime soon, I do think a revamp could make Humble Choice more attractive to both new and returning subscribers. Here are a few ideas that could improve the service:

1. Bring Back Tiered Subscriptions

Humble Choice worked well when users could select a Basic, Premium, or Classic plan. Giving users pricing and game selection flexibility would restore the “choice” in Humble Choice.

2. Allow Indefinite Pausing

One of my biggest frustrations was the inability to pause indefinitely. Allowing users to pause for extended periods—three months, six months, or even a year—would help retain inactive subscribers instead of forcing them to cancel outright.

3. Introduce Platform Flexibility (PC, Console, Cloud Gaming)

With the rise of Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and cloud gaming, Humble Choice could expand beyond Steam. Offering game bundles for PlayStation, Xbox, or even services like GeForce Now could attract gamers who don’t use PCs as their primary platform.

4. Let Users Swap Games

Instead of forcing a take-it-or-leave-it bundle, Humble Choice could allow users to swap out one or two games for alternative selections each month. This small change could give users a greater sense of control while maintaining the curated bundle model.

5. Better Discounts for Subscribers

Humble Choice subscribers already get discounts on the Humble Store, but what if they had even bigger perks? Offering exclusive discounts on newer AAA titles or early access to indie games could add more long-term value to the subscription.

6. Allow Carry-Over Game Choices

A simple but effective improvement would be to let subscribers “bank” 1-2 choices if they don’t use them in the current month. For example, if a subscriber isn’t interested in most of the current bundle, they could save their choice and use it the next month instead. This would ensure they don’t feel like they’re wasting their subscription fee on games they don’t want.

The Debate: Simplicity vs. Subscriber Freedom

The shift from a customizable subscription to a one-size-fits-all model has sparked debate among subscribers. Some appreciate the convenience of receiving all available games, while others feel the service has lost its original appeal.

For those who preferred to curate their own gaming experience, the name Humble Choice now seems ironic—because, in reality, the choice is gone.

Final Thoughts: Is Still Worth It?

Humble Bundle’s subscription service remains an affordable way to access a variety of games while supporting charities. However, the removal of the selection feature has made it less appealing to gamers who prefer control over their purchases.

If Humble Choice revamps its model and brings back elements of user flexibility, it might attract both new users and former subscribers who left for the same reasons I did. Would I resubscribe if Humble Choice improved? Maybe. But until then, it remains a service that offers a humble choice—but no choice at all.